Effect of Sand Wind on the Polyethylene Film used as greenhouse cover.

This work aims at studying the degradable effect of artificial ageing on tri-layer polyethylene films used as greenhouse cover in the North Africa environment. The film was supplied by Agrofilm and made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), containing additives (e.g., color and ultraviolet UV stabilizers). Optical, thermal, surface analysis and mechanical properties have been analyzed on samples having undergone different thermal treatments associated with sand and wind simulation in order to test their performance when used in a Saharan environment. The study has been carried out over a period of eight hours of artificial ageing “Sand and wind simulation at 40°C”. The findings show that the environmental factors have degradable effects on the durability and all properties of the polyethylene film. The study revealed also that the degradation parameters measured are directly related to criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of agricultural greenhouse. The simultaneous effect of temperature and sand wind induced the most significant degradation on the film surface and consequently a reduction in the lifetime of the material.